Play It Forward Counseling

07/22/2026

We know therapy can feel intimidating.
As our name suggests, we believe play has a meaningful place in the healing journey. You will often find us giggling, singing, and walking around barefoot in our office.

We take pride in the years of education and experience each therapist brings into the therapy space as those years shaped our ability to respond to each client’s needs in the moment. We are proud that our skill set encompasses our ability to prioritize human connection and authenticity.

Our hope is for you to be able to enter this space and feel a sense of comfort instead of intimidation. Maybe even a sense of belonging in this world. 💕

06/10/2026

Did you get to visit with Tara at the Stronger You Wellness experience yesterday?

We believe play experiences create an opportunity to learn in a low-pressure environment. You may think “they’re just playing”, but we are observing how you handle disappointment, communicate, maintain attention, and much more when we are engaging in play or hands-on activities. Many of these skills are foundational aspects of interacting with others and relate to aspects of Tara’s discussion on healthy relationships and boundaries.

We hope to see you next time if you missed it. 🌺

06/02/2026

Today in session, we created some pretty amazing Worry Monsters! 👾🎨

When children struggle with anxiety, worries can feel big, loud, and sometimes a little bossy. Through art and play, we can help them give those worries a face, a name, and a voice. Once worries are outside of us, they often feel less scary and easier to understand.

Play and art aren’t “just play”—they are often the language children use to process their world. 💛

05/27/2026

It’s a Turtley Awesome day to come to therapy!!!!

05/27/2026

Introducing Clay It Forward ✨

Lizzy Campbell, LCSW has committed much of her career to utilizing sand tray therapy as it offers a way for individuals to express their experiences when words are too challenging. To expand the options available to the clients we serve and to offer resources to other therapists certified in sand tray therapy, we are proud to launch Clay It Forward.

If you are interested in purchasing materials, for sand tray or for fun (yes, they are cool), please visit our Etsy site to explore sand tray miniatures.

https://clayitforwardminis.etsy.com

05/18/2026

✨ BIG NEWS at Play It Forward Counseling! ✨

We are beyond excited to officially welcome Tara Thompson-Strickler to the Play It Forward Counseling team! 💚

Tara brings over 6 years of experience supporting children, teens, and families through life’s challenges and transitions. With a background in alternative education and K–12 schools, she is passionate about creating a therapeutic space where clients feel supported, empowered, and truly heard.

Tara earned her Master’s in School Social Work from Aurora University and is currently working toward her clinical licensure (LCSW). She enjoys helping individuals navigate challenges related to ADHD, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, chronic stress, and overwhelming life experiences using practical coping skills, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and strengths-based support.

One of the things we love most about Tara’s approach is her focus on connection, emotional wellness, and helping clients recognize their own resilience and growth. 🌱

Please help us give Tara a warm Play It Forward welcome in the comments! 🎉 We are so excited for the care, compassion, and support she will bring to our community.

05/18/2026

All sessions with therapists will be canceled for May 25th, 2026 as our office observes Memorial Day 🇺🇸

05/17/2026

04/24/2026

We are proud to sponsor the 2026 Z Tour Bike Ride 🚴‍♀️

Early childhood experiences are considered the foundation years of development because they represent a critical time of brain development, skill acquisition, and social-emotional growth. The support and connection children receive during these years can shape their confidence, emotional wellness, and lifelong growth. Z tour directly supports Zearing Child Enrichment Center, a well-known early childhood center in our community.

At our practice, we are committed to supporting the children in our community in more ways than one-on-one therapy experiences. We believe in showing up, investing locally, and being part of the village that helps children thrive. We’re honored to support an event that promotes health, connection, and community for families.

Ashley and Lizzy will be participating in registration for the event. We hope to see you there. 👋🏼

04/23/2026

Sharing a glimpse of the incredible artwork we have seen recently while using art therapy with our clients.

Our role is to support our clients with encouragement and create a space for them to process without any external expectations. 🖼️ Read the captions for each photo to learn about their artwork.